Trocar assemblies for adapter assemblies for surgical stapling instruments

ABSTRACT

A trocar assembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of a surgical stapling instrument includes a trocar mechanism that includes a trocar member that is at least one of rotatable or articulable relative to a housing of the trocar assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/834,502, 62/834,483, 62/834,493,62/834,486, 62/834,490 each of which was filed on Apr. 16, 2019, theentire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to circular stapling instruments. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to trocar assemblies foruse in adapter assemblies for circular stapling instruments.

Background of Related Art

Surgical instruments for applying staples, clips, or other fasteners totissue are well known. Typically, endoscopic stapling instrumentsinclude an actuation unit, e.g., a handle assembly for actuating theinstrument, an elongate shaft for accessing a body cavity, and a toolassembly disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft.

Adapter assemblies used with a circular stapling tool assembly include atrocar assembly for selectively positioning an anvil assembly relativeto a cartridge assembly. To facilitate securing the anvil assemblyrelative to the cartridge assembly, it would be beneficial to have atrocar assembly with a trocar member that may be rotated and/orarticulated.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a trocar assembly forreleasable engagement with an adapter assembly of a surgical staplinginstrument, is provided. The trocar assembly includes a housingincluding a tubular body and defining a longitudinal axis, and a trocarmechanism supported with the housing and movable between a retractedposition and an advanced position. The trocar mechanism includes atubular member and a trocar member rotatably supported on a distal endof the tubular body such that the trocar member may be articulatedthrough a plurality of angles in a plurality rotational orientationsrelative to the tubular body.

The trocar member may include a spherical proximal portion, and a distalportion of the tubular body defines a semi-spherical recess forreceiving the spherical proximal portion of the trocar body.

The spherical proximal portion of the trocar member may be securedwithin the semi-spherical recess in the tubular body by a snap ring.

A bearing member may be received between the spherical proximal portionof the trocar member and the snap ring to facilitate articulation of thetrocar member relative to the tubular member.

The spherical proximal portion of the trocar member may define acylindrical recess.

The trocar mechanism may further include a lock member slidably disposedwithin the distal portion of the tubular member and movable between alocked or distal position and an unlocked or proximal position. The lockmember may include a cylindrical body and a locking projection extendingdistally from the cylindrical body.

The locking projection of the lock member may be received within thecylindrical recess of the spherical proximal portion of the trocarmember when the lock member is in a locked position, to fix the trocarmember in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of thehousing.

The spherical proximal portion of the trocar member may include atapered surface about the cylindrical recess to facilitate receipt ofthe locking projection within the cylindrical recess.

A free end of the locking projection may include a tapered surface tofacilitate receipt of the locking projection within the cylindricalrecess of the trocar member.

The lock member may include a pair of tabs extending radially outwardlyfrom the cylindrical body and the tubular body may define a pair ofslots for receiving the pair of tabs of the lock member.

The lock member may be movable from the locked position to the unlockedposition through engagement with the pair of tabs.

The trocar assembly may further include a drive member rotatablysupported within the housing and configured to cause longitudinaltranslation of the trocar mechanism.

The drive member may be configured to engage the lock member as thetrocar mechanism is moved to the retracted position to move the lockmember to the locked position.

The trocar assembly may further include a bearing assembly disposed on aproximal end of the housing.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a trocar assemblyfor releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of a surgicalstapling instrument is provided. The trocar assembly includes a housingincluding: a tubular body and defining a longitudinal axis; an end capdisposed on a distal end of the tubular body, the end cap includingflattened inner surfaces; and a trocar member supported within thehousing and received through end cap, the trocar member includingflattened surfaces corresponding to the flattened inner surfaces of theend cap and stop surfaces disposed adjacent a proximal end of theflattened surfaces. The trocar member is movable between advanced andretracted positions and is rotationally fixed relative to the end capthrough engagement of the flattener surfaces of the trocar member andthe flattened inner surface of the end cap. The stop surface of thetrocar member engages the end cap to prevent overextension of the trocarmember from the housing.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a trocarassembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of asurgical stapling instrument is provided. The trocar assembly includes ahousing including: a tubular body and defining a longitudinal axis, aproximal portion of the tubular body including a threaded inner surface;a trocar mechanism supported with the housing and movable between aretracted position and an advanced position, the trocar mechanismincluding a tubular member and a trocar member extending from thetubular member, the tubular member having a proximal section with athreaded inner surface; a drive member rotatably supported within thehousing, the drive member including a threaded proximal portionconfigured for engagement with the threaded inner surface of the housingand a threaded distal portion configured for engagement with thethreaded inner surface of the tubular member; and a drive connector infixed rotational relationship and in dynamic longitudinal relationshipwith the drive member.

The drive connector may be maintained in a proximal position duringadvancement of the trocar mechanism by a plunger member and a spring.

The drive connector may include a seal member, and the drive connectormay be biased in a proximal direction by a pressurized fluid.

The drive connector may include a detent for engaging a drive shaft of ahandle assembly.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a trocarassembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of asurgical stapling instrument is provided. The trocar assembly includes:a housing including a tubular body and defining a longitudinal axis; atrocar member supported with the housing and movable between a retractedposition and an advanced position, the trocar mechanism including atubular member and a trocar member extending from the tubular member,the tubular member having a proximal section with a threaded innersurface; a drive member rotatably supported within the housing, thedrive member including a threaded distal portion configured forengagement with the threaded inner surface of the tubular member, thethreaded distal portion defining an annular groove; and a snap ringreceived within the annular groove, wherein during engagement of thethreaded inner surface of the tubular member by the snap ring, the drivemember is prevented from further rotation.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a trocar assembly forreleasable engagement with an adapter assembly of a surgical staplinginstrument is provided. The trocar assembly includes: a housingincluding a tubular body and defining a longitudinal axis, the tubularbody defining at least one arcuate slot extending circumferentiallyabout a distal portion of the tubular body; an end cap rotatablysupported on the proximal portion of the tubular body, the end capincluding at least one post configured to be received within the arcuateslot of the tubular body to limit rotation of the end cap; and a trocarmechanism supported with the housing and movable between a retractedposition and an advanced position. The trocar mechanism includes atubular member and a trocar member pivotally secured to the tubularmember. The trocar mechanism and the end cap are rotationally fixedrelative to one another such that rotation of the end cap along thelongitudinal axis causes rotation of the trocar mechanism along thelongitudinal axis.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a trocar assemblyfor releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of a surgicalstapling instrument is provided. The trocar assembly includes: a housingincluding a tubular body and defining a longitudinal axis; an end capsupported on the proximal portion of the tubular body, the end capdefining a longitudinal passage and including at least a first nubextending radially into the longitudinal passage; and a trocar mechanismsupported with the housing and movable between a retracted position andan advanced position. The trocar mechanism includes a tubular member anda trocar member pivotally secured to the tubular member. The tubularmember defines at least one flattened portion corresponding to the atleast first nub, wherein when the tubular member is received within thelongitudinal passage of the end cap, the at least one nub aligns withthe at least one flattened portion to permit rotation of the trocarmechanism along the longitudinal axis within the end cap.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a trocarassembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of asurgical stapling instrument is provided. The trocar assembly includes:a housing including a tubular body and defining a longitudinal axis, thetubular body defining a longitudinal slot having a narrow proximalportion and a wide narrow portion; and a trocar mechanism supported withthe housing and movable between a retracted position and an advancedposition. The trocar mechanism includes a tubular member and a trocarmember pivotally secured to the tubular member. The trocar mechanismalso includes a post extending radially outward from the tubular member,the post being receivable within the longitudinal slot in the housing,wherein the trocar mechanism is permitted to rotate about thelongitudinal axis when the post is disposed within the wide distalportion of the longitudinal slot and the trocar mechanism is preventedfrom rotating when the post is disposed within the narrow proximalportion of the longitudinal slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosureand, together with a general description of the disclosure given above,and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument includinga trocar assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a distal end of the surgical staplinginstrument shown in FIG. 1, including a loading unit, a trocar assembly,and an anvil assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the trocar assembly of the adapterassembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a housing assembly and a trocarmechanism of the trocar assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the trocar mechanism shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an articulation assembly ofthe trocar mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective end view of a trocar member of the trocarassembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 8-8 shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional top view taken along line 10-10 shown inFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 8, with the trocarmechanism in an advanced position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view as shown in FIG. 12, with a lock member in aretracted position;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the trocar assembly shown in FIG. 3,with the trocar mechanism in an advanced position;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 15-15 shown inFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a trocar assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, with a trocar mechanism in anadvanced position;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 17-17 shown inFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the trocar mechanism shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 17, with the trocarmechanism in a retracted position;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a trocar assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional side view of the trocar assembly shown inFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 23, with the trocarmechanism in an advanced position;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a proximalportion of the trocar assembly shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 28 is a perspective side view of a drive connector of a drivemechanism of the trocar assembly shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a proximalportion of a drive assembly according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a perspective side view of a drive connector of the driveassembly shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a proximalportion of a drive assembly according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a perspective side view of a drive connector of the driveassembly shown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a perspective side view of a trocar assembly according to yetanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a perspective side view of a trocar mechanism and a drivemember of the trocar assembly shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 36;

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the trocar assembly shown in FIG.33, with the trocar mechanism in an advanced position;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional perspective side view of a distal end of ahousing assembly of the trocar assembly shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 36, with the trocarmechanism in a retracted position;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a perspective side view of a trocar assembly according tostill yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 42 is a perspective side view of a distal end of the trocarassembly shown in FIG. 41, including a housing assembly and a trocarmechanism extending from the housing assembly;

FIG. 43 is a perspective side view of a distal end of the housingassembly shown in FIG. 42, with parts separated;

FIG. 44 is a perspective side view of a trocar assembly according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a perspective end view of a distal end of a housing assemblyof the trocar assembly shown in FIG. 44;

FIG. 47 is a perspective end view of an end cap of the housing assemblyshown in FIG. 44;

FIG. 48 is a perspective end view of a tubular body of the housingassembly shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 49 is a perspective end view of a distal end of a trocar assemblyaccording to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line 50-50 shown inFIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is a perspective end view of the distal end of the trocarassembly as shown in FIG. 49, with a trocar mechanism is rotatedposition;

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line 52-52 shown inFIG. 51;

FIG. 53 is a side view of a trocar mechanism of a trocar assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 54 is a side view of a housing assembly configured for use with thetrocar mechanism shown in FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line 55-55 shown inFIG. 54;

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line 56-56 shown inFIG. 54;

FIG. 57 is a perspective side view of a trocar assembly according to yetanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 58 is a perspective side view of a housing assembly of the trocarassembly shown in FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a perspective side view of the trocar assembly shown in FIG.57, with a trocar mechanism in a first rotational orientation;

FIG. 60 is a perspective side view of the trocar assembly shown in FIG.57, with the trocar mechanism in a second rotational orientation;

FIG. 61 is a perspective side view of the trocar assembly shown in FIG.57, with the trocar mechanism in a retracted position; and

FIG. 62 is a perspective end view of the housing assembly and a proximalend of the trocar mechanism of the trocar assembly shown in FIG. 57, asthe trocar mechanism is secured to the housing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed trocar assemblies will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings in which likereference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in eachof the several views. As is common in the art, the term “proximal”refers to that part or component closer to the user or operator, e.g.surgeon or clinician, while the term “distal” refers to that part orcomponent farther away from the user.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an adapter assembly suitable for use witha removable trocar assembly according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, shown generally as adapter assembly 20, is a component of asurgical stapling instrument 10. The surgical stapling instrument 10further includes a powered handle assembly 30, a loading unit 40, and ananvil assembly 50. Although shown and described with reference tosurgical stapling instrument 10, the aspects of the present disclosuremay be modified for use with surgical stapling instruments havingalternative configurations. For a detailed description of exemplarypowered surgical stapling instruments, please refer to commonly ownedU.S. Pat. Nos. 9,023,014 and 9,055,943 (“the '014 patent” and “the '943patent”, respectively), the contents of each of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

The adapter assembly 20 of the surgical stapling instrument 10 will onlybe described to the extent necessary to fully disclose the aspects ofthe present disclosure. For a detailed description of exemplary adapterassemblies, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos.2016/0106406 (“the '406 publication”) and 2017/0086879 (“the '879publication”), the contents of each of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the adapter assembly 20 includes aproximal portion 22 configured for operable connection to the handleassembly 30 (FIG. 1) and a distal portion 24 configured for operableconnection to the loading unit 40 (FIG. 1). Although shown and describedas forming an integral unit, it is envisioned that the proximal anddistal portions 22, 24 may be formed as separate units that arereleasably securable to one another.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, a removable trocar assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, shown generally astrocar assembly 100, extends distally from the distal portion 24 of theadapter assembly 20 of the surgical stapling instrument 10. The trocarassembly 100 is releasably secured within the distal portion 24 (FIG. 1)of the adapter assembly 20. For a detailed description of an exemplarylocking mechanism for securing the trocar assembly 100 within the distalportion 24 of the adapter assembly 20, please refer to the '879publication, the content of which was previously incorporated byreference herein.

With reference now to FIGS. 3-7, the trocar assembly 100 of the adapterassembly 20 (FIG. 2) of the surgical stapling instrument 10 includes ahousing assembly 110, a bearing assembly 120 supported on a proximal endof the housing assembly 110, a trocar mechanism 130 slidably disposedwithin and extending from the housing 110, and a drive member 160rotatably supported within the housing assembly 110 by the bearingassembly 120 for longitudinally moving the trocar mechanism 130 relativeto the housing assembly 110.

The housing assembly 110 of the trocar assembly 100 includes a tubularbody 112 having proximal and distal portions 112 a, 112 b. Inembodiments, the tubular body 112 defines a pair of notches 111 tofacilitate releasable attachment of the trocar assembly 100 within thedistal portion 24 (FIG. 1) of the adapter assembly 20 of the surgicalstapling instrument 10. Alternatively, the tubular body 112 of thehousing assembly 110 may include tabs, slots and tabs, threading, orother suitable configuration for releasable attachment of the trocarassembly 100 to the adapter assembly 20. An end cap 114 is disposed onthe distal portion 112 b of the tubular body 112. The bearing assembly120 of the trocar assembly 100 is disposed on the proximal portion 112 aof the tubular body 112. The bearing assembly 120 and/or the end cap 114may be secured to the tubular body 112 using adhesive, welding, frictionfit, mechanical interface, e.g., threads or bayonet coupling, or in anyother suitable manner.

The bearing assembly 120 of the trocar assembly 130 is configured torotatably support the drive member 160. An exemplary bearing assembly isshown and described in the '406 publication, the content of which waspreviously incorporated by reference herein.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 4-10, the trocar mechanism 130 ofthe trocar assembly 100 is configured for longitudinal movement relativeto the housing assembly 110 of the trocar assembly 100. The trocarmechanism 130 includes a tubular member 132 slidably disposed within thehousing assembly 110, a trocar member 134 extending distally from withinthe tubular member 132, and an articulation mechanism 140 operablydisposed within the tubular member 132 and configured to permitselective articulation of the trocar member 134 relative to the tubularmember 132.

The tubular member 132 of the trocar mechanism 130 includes a proximalsection 132 a and a distal section 132 b. The proximal and distalsections 132 a, 132 b, may be secured together in any suitable manner,including with adhesive, welding, mechanical fasteners or the like. Inembodiments, the proximal and distal sections 132 a, 132 b of thetubular member 132 are integrally formed. An inner surface 133 a (FIG.8) of the proximal section 132 a of the tubular member 132 is threaded.The threaded inner surface 133 a is configured to engage a threadedportion 162 c of the drive member 160. The distal section 132 b of thetubular member 132 is configured to operably retain and support aproximal end of the trocar member 134 and the articulation mechanism140. More particularly, the distal section 132 b of the tubular member132 defines a semispherical recess 131 a for receiving a sphericalportion 134 a of the trocar member 134 and slots 131 b (FIG. 10) forreceiving tab portions 152 extending outwardly from the lock member 142of the articulation mechanism 140.

With particular reference to FIG. 7, the trocar member 134 includes thespherical portion 134 a, a flanged or intermediate portion 134 b, and atapered or distal portion 134 c. The spherical portion 134 a of thetrocar member 134 is configured to be received within the semisphericalrecess 131 a in the distal section 132 b of the tubular member 132 ofthe trocar mechanism 130. The spherical portion 134 a defines acylindrical recess 135 (FIG. 8) extending along a longitudinal axis “x”of the trocar member 134. As will be described in further detail below,the cylindrical recess 135 in the spherical portion 134 a of the trocarmember 134 receives a locking projection 154 of the lock member 142 ofthe articulation mechanism 140 to orient and secure the trocar member134 in a longitudinally aligned configuration. The spherical portion 134a of the trocar member 134 includes a tapered surface 135 a (FIG. 8)formed about an entrance to the cylindrical recess 135 to facilitatereceipt of the locking projection 154 of the lock member 142 within thecylindrical recess 135 a. The flanged intermediate portion 134 b of thetrocar member 134 is configured for operable engagement with an anvilassembly, e.g., the anvil assembly 50 (FIG. 1). The tapered distalportion 134 c of the trocar member 134 is configured for piercing tissueand for facilitating engagement of the trocar member 134 with the anvilassembly 50.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 5-10, the articulation mechanism140 of the trocar mechanism 130 includes the lock member 142, a bearingmember 144, and a snap ring 146. As shown, the bearing member 144includes first and second bearing halves 144 a, 144 b, although otherconfigurations are envisioned. The bearing member 144 of thearticulation mechanism 140 rotatably supports the spherical portion 134a of the trocar member 134 within semispherical recess 131 a in thedistal section 132 b of the tubular member 132, and is operably retainedwithin the semispherical recess 131 a by the snap ring 146.

The lock member 142 of the articulation mechanism 140 of the trocarassembly 100 is slidably disposed within the distal section 132 b of thetubular member 132. The lock member 142 includes a substantiallycylindrical body 150, the tab portions 152 extending radially outwardlyfrom the cylindrical body 150, and a locking projection 154 extendingdistally from the cylindrical body 150. The cylindrical body 150 definesa recess 151 for receiving a distal end of the drive member 160. The tabportions 152 are received within in the slots 131 b in the distalsection 132 b of the tubular member 132 of the trocar mechanism 130, andpermit longitudinal movement of the lock member 142 between a locked orinitial position (FIG. 9) and an unlocked or retracted position (FIG.13). The locking projection 154 includes a tapered free end 154 aconfigured to facilitate receipt of the locking projection 154 withinthe cylindrical recess 135 of the spherical portion 134 a of the trocarmember 134.

The drive member 160 of the trocar assembly 100 includes an elongatebody 162 having a proximal or engagement portion 162 a, an intermediatebearing portion 162 b, and a threaded or distal portion 162 c. Theproximal engagement portion 162 a of the drive member 160 is configuredfor operable engagement with a drive screw (not shown) disposed withinthe adapter assembly 20. The bearing portion 162 b of the drive member160 rotatably engages the bearing assembly 120 to permit rotation of theelongate body 162 about its longitudinal axis. The threaded portion 162c operably engages the inner threaded portion 133 a of the proximalsection 132 a of the tubular member 132 to cause longitudinal movementof the trocar mechanism 130 relative to the housing assembly 110.

The operation of the trocar assembly 100 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 8-15. Referring initially to FIGS. 8-10, whetherprovided to the clinician with the trocar assembly 100 preloaded withinthe adapter assembly 20 (FIG. 1), or provided to the clinician separatefrom the adapter assembly 20 and, therefore, requiring loading withinthe adapter assembly 20, the trocar assembly 100 is provided to theclinician with the trocar mechanism 130 in a retracted position and thelock member 142 of the articulation mechanism 140 in a locked position.When the trocar mechanism 130 is in the retracted position, a distal endof the drive member 160 is received within the recess 151 formed in thecylindrical body 150 of the lock member 142. When the lock member 142 ofthe articulation mechanism 140 is in the locked position, the trocarmember 134 is fixed in longitudinal alignment with the elongate body 162of the drive member 160. When in the longitudinally fixed position, thetrocar member 134 may be used in a traditional manner, e.g., to piercetissue.

Turning to FIGS. 11 and 12, rotation of the drive member 160 in a firstdirection, as indicted by arrow “A” in FIG. 11, causes the trocar member134 to move distally, e.g., advance, as indicated by arrows “B” in FIG.11. During advancement of the trocar member 134, the lock member 142remains in the locked position with the locking projection 154 receivedwithin the cylindrical opening 135 in the spherical portion 134 a of thetrocar member 134. In this manner, the trocar member 134 remains inlongitudinal alignment with the elongate body 162 of the drive member160. In embodiments, the lock member 142 may be keyed to the drivemember 160 such that retraction of the drive member 160 causesretraction of the lock member 142. In this manner, retraction of thedrive member 160 would disengage the lock member 142 from the trocarmember 134, thereby permitting articulation of the trocar member 134relative to the housing assembly 110. Alternatively, the lockingprojection 154 may be formed directly on the drive member 162.

Turning to FIGS. 13-16, to disengage the lock member 142 from the trocarmember 134, the clinician engages the tabs 142 a of the lock member 142through slots 131 b in the distal section 132 b of the tubular member132 of the trocar mechanism 130 and moves the lock member 142 in aproximal direction, e.g., retracts, as indicated by arrows “C” in FIG.13, to an unlocked position. Proximal movement of the lock member 142withdraws the locking projection 154 of the lock member 142 from withinthe cylindrical opening 135 in the spherical portion 132 a of the trocarmember 132.

When the lock member 142 of the articulation mechanism 140 is in theunlocked position, the trocar member 134 is free to articulate in anydirection relative to the end cap 114 of the housing assembly 110. Inthis manner, the trocar member 134 may be oriented at any angle relativeto the housing assembly 110 (FIGS. 2 and 14), to facilitate attachmentof the anvil assembly 50 (FIG. 2) to the trocar member 134.

Subsequent to attaching the anvil assembly 50 to the trocar member 134,the trocar member 134 is retracted by rotating the drive member 160 in asecond, opposite direction. As the trocar member 134 is retracted withinthe housing assembly 110 of the trocar assembly 100, the trocar member134 engages the end cap 114 of the housing assembly 110 to cause thetrocar member 134 to realign with the elongate body 162 of the drivemember 160. Continued retraction of the trocar member 134 causes thedistal end 162 b of the elongate body 162 of the drive member 160 toengage the lock member 142. As the trocar member 134 continues toretract, the locking projection 154 of the lock member 142 engages thespherical portion 134 a of the trocar member 134. The tapered surface135 a surrounding an open end of the cylindrical recess 135 in thespherical portion 134 a of the trocar member 134 and the tapered freeend 154 a of the locking projection 154 facilitate receipt of thelocking portion 144 of the lock member 142 within the cylindrical recess135.

As described above, receipt of the locking projection 154 of the lockmember 152 within the cylindrical recess 135 in the spherical portion134 a of the trocar member 134 fixes the trocar member 134 inlongitudinal alignment with the elongate body 162 of the drive member160. The surgical stapling instrument 10 (FIG. 1) may then be used tocomplete the stapling procedure in a traditional manner.

With reference now to FIGS. 16-21, a trocar assembly according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally astrocar assembly 200. The trocar assembly 200 is substantially similar tothe trocar assembly 100 described hereinabove, and will only bedescribed in detail as it relates to the differences therebetween.

The trocar assembly 200 includes a housing assembly 210, a bearingassembly 220 supported on a proximal end of the housing assembly 210, atrocar mechanism 230 slidably disposed within the housing assembly 210,and a drive member 260 rotatably supported within the housing assembly210 by the bearing assembly 220 for longitudinally moving the trocarmechanism 230 relative to the housing assembly 210.

The trocar mechanism 230 of the trocar assembly 200 is configured forlongitudinal movement relative to the housing assembly 210 of the trocarassembly 200. The trocar mechanism 230 is secured within a tubular body212 of housing assembly 210 by an end cap 214. The end cap 214 includesflattened inner surfaces 214 a (FIG. 19). The trocar mechanism 230includes a tubular member 232 slidably disposed within the housingassembly 210 and a trocar member 234 secured to and extending distallyfrom the tubular member 232.

As shown, the tubular member 232 of the trocar mechanism 230 includesproximal and distal sections 232 a, 232 b. It is envisioned that thetubular member 232 may be monolithic. The tubular member 232 includeselongate flattened surfaces 231 a extending along opposed lengths of thetubular member 232 and a stop surface 231 b (FIG. 19) disposed adjacentthe proximal ends of the elongate flattened surfaces 231 a. The elongateflattened surfaces 231 a of the tubular member 232 of the trocarmechanism 230 align with flattened inner surfaces 214 a of the end cap214 of a housing assembly 210 to maintain the trocar member 232 in afixed rotational orientation relative to the housing assembly 210.

With particular reference to FIG. 19, the stop surface 231 b of thetubular member 232 of the trocar mechanism 230 engages the end cap 214of the housing assembly 210 during longitudinal movement of the trocarmechanism 230 relative to the housing assembly 210, e.g., advancement.Engagement of the stop surfaces 231 b of the tubular member 232 with theend cap 214 retains the trocar mechanism 230 within the housing assembly210 and prevents over extension of the trocar member 234 from thehousing assembly 210.

With particular reference to FIG. 21, a proximal facing surface 233 ofthe tubular member 232 of the trocar assembly 200 is configured toengage a stop member 222 disposed between the tubular body 212 of thehousing assembly 210 and the bearing assembly 220 of the housingassembly 210. In embodiments, the stop member 222 includes a snap ring.The stop member 222 limits the proximal movement of the trocar mechanism230 to prevent over-retraction of the trocar mechanism 230 within thehousing assembly 210.

With reference now to FIGS. 22-28, a trocar assembly according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally astrocar assembly 300. The trocar assembly 300 is substantially similar tothe trocar assemblies 100, 200 described hereinabove, and will only bedescribed in detail as it relates to the differences therebetween.

The trocar assembly 300 includes a housing assembly 310, a trocarmechanism 330 slidably disposed within the housing 310, and a driveassembly 360 rotatably supported within the housing assembly 310 forlongitudinally moving the trocar mechanism 330 relative to the housingassembly 310.

The housing assembly 310 of the trocar assembly 300 includes a tubularbody 312 and an end cap 314 disposed on a distal portion 312 b of thetubular body 312. A proximal portion 312 a of the tubular body 312includes a threaded inner surface 316 (FIG. 24). As will be described infurther detail below, the threaded inner surface 316 of the tubular body312 engages a threaded proximal portion 362 a of the drive member 362 ofthe drive assembly 360 to cause longitudinal translation of the drivemember 362 relative to the housing assembly 310.

The trocar mechanism 330 of the trocar assembly 300 is configured forlongitudinal movement relative to the housing assembly 310 of the trocarassembly 300. The trocar mechanism 330 is secured within a tubular body312 of housing assembly 310 by the end cap 314 on the distal portion 312b of the tubular body 312 and the drive assembly 360 on the proximalportion 312 a of the tubular body 312. The trocar mechanism 330 includesa tubular member 332 slidably disposed within the housing assembly 310and a trocar member 334 secured to and extending distally from thetubular member 332.

The drive assembly 360 of the trocar assembly 300 includes the drivemember 362, a drive connector 364 extending from a threaded proximalportion 362 a of the drive member 362, a plunger member 366 slidablydisposed within the drive connector 364, and a spring member 368 biasingthe plunger member 366. The plunger member 366 and the spring member 368operate to maintain the drive connector 364 in a proximal position,e.g., in engagement with a drive shaft (not shown) within the adapterassembly 20 (FIG. 1).

The drive member 362 of the drive assembly 360 includes the threadedproximal portion 362 a and a threaded distal portion 362 b. The threadedproximal portion 362 a is threaded in a first direction and the threadeddistal portion 362 b is threaded in a second direction. As noted above,the threaded proximal portion 362 a of the drive member 362 isconfigured to engage the threaded inner surface 316 of the tubular body312 of the housing assembly 310. Rotation of the drive connector 364causes longitudinal movement of the drive member 362 relative to thehousing assembly 310. The threaded distal portion 362 b of the drivemember 362 engages a threaded inner surface 333 of a proximal portion332 a of the tubular member 332. Rotation of the drive member 362 causeslongitudinal movement of the trocar mechanism 330 relative to thehousing assembly 310.

A pitch of the threaded proximal portion 362 a of the drive member 362may be the same or different from a pitch of the threaded distal portion362 b. By varying the pitch of the threaded proximal and distal portions362 a, 362 b of the drive member 362, the rate at which the respectivedrive member 362 and the trocar mechanism 330 move in the longitudinaldirection may be varied. In embodiments, the threaded distal portion 362b of the drive member 362 is more coarse (e.g., relatively larger threadpitch) to move the trocar mechanism 330 further while the threadedproximal portion 362 a is more fine (e.g., relatively smaller threadpitch) for use in both displacing and axial retaining the drive member362 to the tubular body 312 of the housing assembly 310.

The threaded proximal portion 362 a of the drive member 362 of the driveassembly 360 defines a cylindrical recess 363 for receiving the driveconnector 364, the plunger member 366, and the spring member 368. Awasher 365 defines a rectangular opening 365 a (FIG. 22) is welded orotherwise fixedly secured to the threaded proximal portion 362 a of thedrive member 362 within the cylindrical recess 363 to maintain a flangeddistal end 364 a of the drive connector 364 within the cylindricalrecess 363 and to rotationally fix the plunger member 366 relative tothe drive member 362. More particularly, a proximal portion 364 a of thedrive connector 364 includes a rectangular profile that is slidinglyreceived through rectangular opening 365 a of the washer 365. In thismanner, rotation of the drive connector 364 causes rotation of the drivemember 362.

As noted above, the plunger member 364 includes the proximal portion 364a that includes a rectangular profile and a distal portion 364 b that isflanged. The rectangular profile of the proximal portion 364 arotationally fixes the drive connector 364 relative to the drive member362 and the flange of the distal portion 364 b retains the driveconnector 364 within the cylindrical recess 363 of the drive member 362.The drive connector 364 defines a longitudinal cavity 367 for receivingthe spring member 368 received about the plunger member 366. The springmember 366 is maintained about the plunger member 366 by a flangeddistal portion 366 b of the plunger member 366. The spring member 368 isconfigured to bias the plunger member 366 distally, or moreparticularly, to bias the drive connector 364 proximally. The plungermember 366 and the spring member 368 operate to maintain the driveconnector 364 in a proximal position to ensure engagement of the driveconnector 364 with a drive shaft (not shown) of the adapter assembly 20(FIG. 1).

With particular reference to FIGS. 23 and 24, the trocar mechanism 330of the trocar assembly 300 is shown in a retracted or distal position.When in the retracted position, the trocar mechanism 330 is disposedadjacent a distal end of the threaded proximal portion 362 a of thedrive member 362 and a proximal end of the threaded proximal portion 362a of the drive member 362 engages a washer 318 secured within theproximal end of the tubular body 312 of the housing assembly 310 toretain the drive member 362 within the tubular body 312, and to act as astop for the drive member 312 to prevent over-retraction of the drivemember 312 within the housing assembly 310.

Turning to FIGS. 25 and 26, rotation of the drive connector 364 of thedrive assembly 360 in a first direction, as indicated by arrow “A” inFIG. 26, causes corresponding rotation of the drive member 362 in thesame, first direction. Rotation of the drive member 362 causeslongitudinal movement of the drive member 362 in a distal direction,e.g., advancement, as indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 26. Rotation of thedrive member 362 in the first direction also causes longitudinalmovement of the trocar mechanism 330 in a distal direction, as indicatedby arrow “C” in FIG. 25. As the drive member 362 moves distally withinthe housing assembly 310, the spring member 368 of the drive assembly360 biases the drive connector 364 proximally to maintain the driveconnector 364 in the proximal position in engagement with the driveshaft (not shown) of the adapter assembly 20 (FIG. 1).

The trocar mechanism 330 is returned to the retracted position byrotating the drive connection in a second, opposite direction.

With reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, in another embodiment of trocarassembly 300, the drive connector 364, the plunger member 366, and thespring member 368 are replaced by a single piston member 364′. Thepiston member 364′ includes a flanged distal portion 364 b′ having aseal member 365′ received thereabout. The seal member 365′ creates afluid tight seal between the flanged distal portion 364 b′ of the pistonmember 364′ and the drive member 362. A pressurized fluid receivedwithin the cylindrical recess 363 of the drive member 362 biases thepiston member 364′ proximally during longitudinal movement of the drivemember 362 to maintain the piston member 364′ in contact with the driveshaft (not shown) of the adapter assembly 20 (FIG. 1).

With reference to FIGS. 31 and 32, in another embodiment of trocarassembly 300, the plunger member 366 and the spring member 368 arereplaced by a drive connector 364″ having detents 365″ on a proximalportion 364 a″ of the drive connector 364″. The detent 365″ engages thedrive shaft (not shown) of the adapter assembly 20 (FIG. 1) to maintainengagement of the drive connector 364″ with the drive shaft. Althoughshown including more than one detent 365″, it is envisioned that theproximal portion 364 a″ of the drive connector 364″ may include only onedetent 365″. It is further envisioned that the drive connector 364″ maybe secured to the drive shaft in other suitable manners, e.g., frictionfit, bayonet coupling, mechanical fasteners.

With reference now to FIGS. 33-40, a trocar assembly according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally astrocar assembly 400. The trocar assembly 400 is substantially similar tothe trocar assemblies 100, 200, 300 described hereinabove, and will onlybe described in detail as it relates to the differences therebetween.

The trocar assembly 400 includes a housing assembly 410, a bearingassembly 420 supported on a proximal end of the housing assembly 410, atrocar mechanism 430 disposed within the housing 410, and a drive member460 rotatably supported within the housing assembly 410 by the bearingassembly 420 for longitudinally moving the trocar assembly 430 relativeto the housing assembly 410.

The trocar mechanism 430 of the trocar assembly 400 is configured forlongitudinal movement relative to the housing assembly 410 of the trocarassembly 400. The trocar mechanism 430 includes a tubular member 432slidably disposed within the housing assembly 410 and a trocar member434 extending distally from the tubular member 432. The tubular member432 defines an opening 433 that provides access to a distal portion 462a of an elongate body 462 of the drive member 460. The tubular member432 includes a threaded inner surface 436 (FIG. 38) that engages athreaded distal portion 462 b of the drive member 462.

The drive member 460 includes the elongate body 462 including a proximalportion 462 a and the threaded distal portion 462 b. The threaded distalportion 462 b of the elongate body 462 is configured to engage a snapring 464. More particularly, the distal portion 462 b of the elongatebody 462 defines a groove 463 for receiving the snap ring 464. Althoughshown including a snap ring 464, it is envisioned that the distalportion 462 b of the elongate body 462 may instead be configured toreceive a pin, cap or nut that may be bonded, welded, staked orotherwise secured to the drive member 462. Alternatively, the threads ofthe distal portion 462 b of the elongate body 462 of the drive member460 may be deformed.

With reference to FIGS. 37 and 38, during advancement of the trocarmechanism 430, the snap ring 464 engages the threaded inner surface 436of the tubular member 432 of the trocar mechanism 430 to preventcontinued advancement of the trocar mechanism 430. This configurationcontains axial loads within the trocar mechanism 430 and the drivemember 460. In this manner, the housing assembly 410 of the trocarassembly 400 does not experience an axial load, and therefore does notneed to be designed stronger.

When the snap ring 464 engages the threaded inner surface 436 of thetubular member 432, a torque spike in motors of the handle assembly 30(FIG. 1) will indicate to the handle assembly 30 a distal home positionfor the trocar mechanism 430. This configuration allows a clinician tocalibrate the handle assembly 30 without having to completely retract apreviously extended trocar mechanism 430.

With reference to FIGS. 39 and 40, a proximal facing surface 433 of thetubular member 432 of the trocar assembly 400 is configured to engage astop member 422 disposed between the tubular body 412 of the housingassembly 410 and the bearing assembly 420 of the housing assembly 410.In embodiments, the stop member 422 includes a snap ring. The stopmember 422 limits the proximal movement of the trocar mechanism 430 toprevent over-retraction of the trocar mechanism 230 within the housingassembly 410.

Embodiments of trocar assemblies having a trocar mechanism that includesa trocar member configured for articulation and rotation of a trocarmember will be described with reference to FIGS. 42-61. Referringinitially to FIGS. 41-44, an embodiment of a trocar assembly accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally as trocarassembly 500. The trocar assembly 500 is substantially similar to thetrocar assembly 100 described hereinabove, and will only be described indetail as it relates to the differences therebetween.

The trocar assembly 500 includes a housing assembly 510, a bearingassembly 520 supported on a proximal end of the housing assembly 510, atrocar mechanism 530 slidably disposed within the housing assembly 510,and a drive member 560 rotatably supported within the housing assembly510 by the bearing assembly 520 for longitudinally moving the trocarmechanism 530 relative to the housing assembly 510.

The housing assembly 510 includes a tubular body 512, and an end cap 514operably supported on a distal portion 512 b of the tubular body 512.More particularly, the distal portion 512 a of the tubular body 512defines a cutout 513 a and an arcuate slot 513 b. The cutout 513 afacilitates connection of the end cap 514 to the tubular body 512 andthe arcuate slot 513 b receives a post 516 of the end cap 514. The endcap 514 includes a substantially annular body 514 a including opposedflattened inner surfaces 514 b configured to rotationally fix the trocarmechanism 530 relative to the end cap 514. As will be described infurther detail below, the end cap 514 is configured to receive thetrocar mechanism 530 therethrough and permit rotation of the trocarmechanism 530 relative to the tubular body 512.

The trocar mechanism 530 of the trocar assembly 500 is configured forlongitudinal and rotational movement and articulation relative to thehousing assembly 510 of the trocar assembly 500. The trocar mechanism530 is prevented from overextending from the tubular body 512 of housingassembly 510 by the end cap 514. The trocar mechanism 530 includes atubular member 532 slidably disposed within the housing assembly 510,and a trocar member 534 pivotally secured to and extending distally fromthe tubular member 532.

As shown, the tubular member 532 of the trocar mechanism 530 includesproximal and distal sections 532 a, 532 b. It is envisioned that thetubular member 532 may be monolithic. The tubular member 532 includeselongate flattened surfaces 531 a extending along opposed lengths of thetubular member 532. The elongate flattened surfaces 531 a of the tubularmember 532 of the trocar mechanism 530 align with flattened surfaces 514b of the end cap 514 of a housing assembly 510. The elongate flattenedsurfaces 531 a of the tubular member 532 and the flattened surfaces 514a of the end cap 514 operate together to maintain the trocar member 532in a fixed rotational orientation relative to the end cap 514.

As noted above, the end cap 514 includes the post 516 received withinthe arcuate slot 513 b in the distal portion 512 b of the tubular body512 of the housing assembly 510. The end cap 514 is configured to rotateabout a longitudinal axis “x” of the trocar assembly 500. The rotationof the end cap 514, and therefore rotation of the trocar mechanism 530received through the end cap 514, is limited by a length of the arcuateslot 513 b. The greater the length of the arcuate slot 513 b, thegreater the degree of rotation of the end cap 514 and the trocarmechanism 530 received through the end cap 514.

Turning to FIGS. 44-48, another embodiment of a trocar assembly is showngenerally as trocar assembly 600. The trocar assembly 600 issubstantially similar to the trocar assembly 500 described above, andwill only be described in detail as it relates to the differencestherebetween.

A housing assembly 610 of the trocar assembly 600 includes a tubularbody 612, and an end cap 614 operably supported on a distal portion 612b of the tubular body 612. More particularly, the distal portion 612 bof the tubular body 612 defines a pair of arcuate slots 613. The arcuateslots 613 receive posts 616 of the end cap 614. The end cap 614 includesa substantially annular body 614 a including opposed flattened innersurfaces 614 b.

With particular reference to FIG. 46, the posts 616 are secured to theend cap 614 subsequent to the end cap 614 being received within thedistal portion 612 b of the tubular body 612 of the housing assembly610. More particularly, the posts 616 are welded, glued, mechanicallyfastened, or otherwise secured to the annular body 614 a of the end cap614 after the annular body 614 a of the end cap 614 is received with thedistal portion 612 b of the tubular body 612. In this manner, the posts616 operate to retain the end cap 614 within the tubular body 612 and topermit rotation of the end cap 614 about a longitudinal axis “x” of thetrocar assembly 630.

Referring now to FIGS. 49-52, an embodiment of a trocar assemblyaccording to still another embodiment of the present disclosure is showngenerally as trocar assembly 700. The trocar assembly 700 issubstantially similar to the trocar assemblies 500, 600 describedhereinabove, and will only be described in detail as it relates to thedifferences therebetween.

The trocar assembly 700 includes a housing assembly 710, and a trocarmechanism 730 slidably disposed within the housing assembly 710.

The housing assembly 710 includes a tubular body 712, and an end cap 714supported on a distal portion 712 b of the tubular body 712. The end cap714 includes a substantially annular body 714 a including a pair of nubs716 extending from an inner surface 714 b of the annular body 714 a. Aswill be described in further detail below, the nubs 716 of the end cap714 correspond with elongated flattened surfaces 731 of the tubularmember 732 of the trocar mechanism 730 to permit and limit rotation ofthe trocar mechanism 730 about a longitudinal axis “x” of the trocarassembly 700 relative to the tubular body 712 of the housing assembly710.

The trocar mechanism 730 of the trocar assembly 700 is configured forlongitudinal and rotational movement and articulation relative to thehousing assembly 710 of the trocar assembly 700. The trocar mechanism730 includes the tubular member 732 slidably disposed within the housingassembly 710 and a trocar member 734 pivotally secured to and extendingdistally from the tubular member 732.

The tubular member 732 of the trocar mechanism 730 includes the elongateflattened surfaces 731 a extending along opposed lengths of the tubularmember 732. The elongate flattened surfaces 731 of the tubular member732 align with and correspond to the nubs 716 of the end cap 714 of ahousing assembly 710. The elongate flattened surfaces 731 of the tubularmember 732 provide a clearance that permits reception of the tubularmember 732 through the end cap 714. The tubular member 732 is movablefrom a first rotational orientation relative to the end cap 714 (FIG.50) to a second rotational orientation relative to the end cap 714 (FIG.52). Engagement of the nubs 716 of the end cap 714 with the tubularmember 732 of the trocar mechanism 730 limits the rotation of thetubular member 732 about the longitudinal axis “x” of the trocarassembly 700.

With reference now to FIGS. 53-56, in another embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a trocar mechanism 830 includes a tubular member 832 that isslidably receivable with a tubular body 812 of a housing assembly 810.The trocar mechanism 830 includes a pin or post 836 extending outwardlyfrom the tubular member 832. The pin 836 is configured to be receivedwithin a longitudinal slot 813 formed in the tubular body 812 of thehousing assembly 810.

With particular reference to FIG. 54, the longitudinal slot 813 in thetubular body 812 of the housing assembly 810 includes a narrow proximalportion 813 a and a wide distal portion 813 b. The longitudinal slot 813is configured to receive the pin 836 of the trocar mechanism 830 whenthe trocar mechanism 830 is received within the tubular body 812.

Turning to FIG. 55, when the pin 836 of the tubular member 832 of thetrocar mechanism 830 is received within the tubular body 812 of thehousing assembly 810, the trocar mechanism 830 is prevented fromrotating through engagement of the pin 836 with the walls of the tubularbody 812 defining the narrow proximal portion 813 a of the longitudinalslot 813. Conversely, the trocar mechanism 830 is permitted to rotatebecause of the spacing between the walls of the tubular body 812defining the wide distal portion 813 b of the longitudinal slot 813. Inthis manner, when the trocar mechanism 830 is in a retracted positionwithin the tubular body 812 of the housing assembly 810, e.g., when thepin 836 is disposed within the narrow proximal portions 813 a of thelongitudinal slot 813 (FIG. 55), the trocar mechanism 830 is fixed fromrotational movement, and when the trocar mechanism is in an advancedposition within the tubular body 812, e.g., when the pin 836 is disposedwithin the wide proximal portion 813 b of the longitudinal slot 813(FIG. 56), the trocar mechanism 830 is free to rotate relative to thetubular body 812.

With reference to FIGS. 57-62, a trocar assembly according to still yetanother embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally astrocar assembly 900. The trocar assembly 900 is similar to the trocarassemblies described hereinabove, and will only be described in detailas it relates to the differences therebetween.

The trocar assembly 900 includes a housing assembly 910, a trocarmechanism 930 slidably disposed within the housing assembly 910, and adrive member 960 rotatably supported within the housing assembly 910 bythe bearing assembly 920 for longitudinally moving the trocar mechanism930 relative to the housing assembly 910.

With particular reference to FIG. 58, the housing assembly 910 of thetrocar assembly 900 includes a tubular body 912. The tubular body 912includes a longitudinal cutout 913 having a narrow proximal portion 913a, a tapered intermediate portion 913 b, and a wide distal portion 913c. As will be described in further detail below, the longitudinal cutout913 permits rotation of the trocar mechanism 930 along a longitudinalaxis “x” of the trocar assembly 900. A distal portion 912 b of thetubular body 912 defines a notch 915 to facilitate loading of the trocarmechanism 930 within the tubular body 912 of the housing assembly 910.

The trocar mechanism 930 of the trocar assembly 900 is configured forlongitudinal and rotational movement relative to the housing assembly910 of the trocar assembly 900. The trocar mechanism 930 includes atubular member 932 slidably disposed within the housing assembly 910 anda trocar member 934 secured to and extending distally from the tubularmember 932. The trocar mechanism 930 is secured within a tubular body912 of housing assembly 910 by pin or post 936 extending outwardly fromthe tubular body 912. The pin 936 is configured to be received withinthe longitudinal slot 913 of the tubular body 912.

The drive member 960 of the trocar assembly 900 includes an elongatebody 962 having a threaded or distal portion 962 b. The threaded portion962 b threadingly engages the tubular member 932 of the trocar mechanism930. Engagement of the tubular member 932 of the trocar mechanism 930 bythe elongate body 962 of the drive member 960 secures the trocarmechanism 930 within the tubular body 912 of the housing assembly 910.

As shown in FIGS. 59 and 60, when the trocar mechanism 930 is in anextended or advanced position, the pin 936 extending from the tubularmember 932 of the trocar mechanism 930 is disposed within the widedistal portion 913 c of the longitudinal slot 913 in the tubular body912 of the housing assembly 910. When the pin 936 is disposed within thewide distal portion 913 c of the longitudinal slot 913, the trocarmechanism 930 is permitted to rotate about a longitudinal axis “x” ofthe trocar assembly 900 from a first position (FIG. 59) to a secondposition (FIG. 60).

As the trocar mechanism 930 is retracted within tubular body 912 of thehousing assembly 910, e.g., as the drive member 960 rotates in a firstdirection, the pin 936 of the trocar mechanism 930 passes the taperedintermediate portion 913 b of the longitudinal slot 913 and is directedinto the narrow proximal portion 913 a of the longitudinal slot 913.When the pin 936 is disposed within the tapered intermediate portion 913b of the longitudinal slot 913, the degree of rotation of the trocarmechanism 930 is limited by the walls of the tubular body 912 definingthe longitudinal slot 913. When the pin 936 of the trocar mechanism 930is received within the narrow proximal portion 913 a of the longitudinalslot 913, the trocar mechanism 930 is prevented from rotating about thelongitudinal axis “x”.

Referring now to FIG. 62, the tubular body 912 of the housing assembly910 is shown as the tubular member 932 of the trocar mechanism 930 isreceived through the notch 915 (FIG. 58) in the distal portion 912 b ofthe tubular body 912. After receiving the tubular member 932 of thetrocar mechanism 930 through the notch 915, the tubular member 932 isaligned with and engaged to the drive member 960 and is threadinglyengaged by the drive member 960 to retain the trocar mechanism 930within the tubular body 912 of the housing assembly 910. The trocarassembly 900 then operates in a traditional manner.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives andmodifications can be devised by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure isintended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figuresare presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure.Other elements, steps, methods and techniques that are insubstantiallydifferent from those described above and/or in the appended claims arealso intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trocar assembly for releasable engagement withan adapter assembly of a surgical stapling instrument, the trocarassembly comprising: a housing including a tubular body and defining alongitudinal axis, the tubular body defining at least one arcuate slotextending circumferentially about a distal portion of the tubular body;an end cap rotatably supported on the distal portion of the tubularbody, the end cap including at least one post configured to be receivedwithin the arcuate slot of the tubular body to limit rotation of the endcap; and a trocar mechanism supported with the housing and movablebetween a retracted position and an advanced position, the trocarmechanism including a tubular member and a trocar member pivotallysecured to the tubular member, the trocar mechanism and the end capbeing rotationally fixed relative to one another such that rotation ofthe end cap along the longitudinal axis causes rotation of the trocarmechanism along the longitudinal axis.
 2. A trocar assembly forreleasable engagement with an adapter assembly of a surgical staplinginstrument, the trocar assembly comprising: a housing including atubular body and defining a longitudinal axis; an end cap supported onthe distal portion of the tubular body, the end cap defining alongitudinal passage and including at least a first nub extendingradially into the longitudinal passage; and a trocar mechanism supportedwith the housing and movable between a retracted position and anadvanced position, the trocar mechanism including a tubular member and atrocar member pivotally secured to the tubular member, the tubularmember defining at least one flattened portion corresponding to the atleast first nub, wherein when the tubular member is received within thelongitudinal passage of the end cap, the at least one nub aligns withthe at least one flattened portion to permit rotation of the trocarmechanism along the longitudinal axis within the end cap.
 3. A trocarassembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of asurgical stapling instrument, the trocar assembly comprising: a housingincluding a tubular body and defining a longitudinal axis, the tubularbody defining a longitudinal slot having a narrow proximal portion and awide distal portion; and a trocar mechanism supported with the housingand movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, thetrocar mechanism including a tubular member and a trocar memberpivotally secured to the tubular member, the trocar mechanism includinga post extending radially outward from the tubular member, the postbeing receivable within the longitudinal slot in the housing, whereinthe trocar mechanism is permitted to rotate about the longitudinal axiswhen the post is disposed within the wide distal portion of thelongitudinal slot and the trocar mechanism is prevented from rotatingwhen the post is disposed within the narrow proximal portion of thelongitudinal slot.